Atrial Dysrhythmias
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Atrial Flutter

Description

Atrial Flutter occurs when there is an obstruction within the atrial electrical conduction system.

Due to this impediment a series of rapid depolarizations occur.

These depolarizations may occur two, three, four or more times per QRS complex.

The AV node functions like a “gate keeper” blocking the extra impulses until the ventricular conduction system is able to accept the impulse.

The impulse that is accepted will cause the QRS complex to occur.

Analysis

Each flutter wave represents atrial depolarization. This will be noted next to the P wave step in rhythm analysis. Instead of P waves, this tracing has “F” waves. No P waves mean there is no PR interval measurement.

When the tracing is interpreted, the ratio of F waves to each QRS complex will be documented along with the rhythm i.e. Atrial Flutter 4:1 (indicates 4 “F” waves to each QRS complex). Not all Atrial Flutter will have a regular rhythm. In that case just document and report your observations.

Description

Atrial Flutter occurs when there is an obstruction within the atrial electrical conduction system.

Due to this impediment a series of rapid depolarizations occur.

These depolarizations may occur two, three, four or more times per QRS complex.

The AV node functions like a “gate keeper” blocking the extra impulses until the ventricular conduction system is able to accept the impulse.

The impulse that is accepted will cause the QRS complex to occur.

Analysis

Each flutter wave represents atrial depolarization. This will be noted next to the P wave step in rhythm analysis. Instead of P waves, this tracing has “F” waves. No P waves mean there is no PR interval measurement.

When the tracing is interpreted, the ratio of F waves to each QRS complex will be documented along with the rhythm i.e. Atrial Flutter 4:1 (indicates 4 “F” waves to each QRS complex). Not all Atrial Flutter will have a regular rhythm. In that case just document and report your observations.